Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of felony charges. He said this while speaking on Tuesday evening in Mar-a-Lago, his estate in southern Florida. The former president returned to Florida from New York, where a court hearing was held on Tuesday afternoon that began the first-ever criminal trial of an American president.
"This is election interference," Trump said, addressing his supporters. - I never thought that something like this could happen in America. The only crime I committed was to fearlessly defend our country against those who seek to destroy it."
According to Voice of America, Trump accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of trying to file a criminal case against him "before he knew anything about me." The former president also said that Judge Juan Mercan "hates Trump."
Various legal difficulties could make life difficult for Trump if he runs again for the Republican presidency in 2024.
"There is now massive election interference on an unprecedented scale," he said.
Earlier, Trump spent about an hour in a Manhattan courtroom where he voluntarily appeared to stand trial on charges of paying porn star Stormy Daniels to remain silent in 2016.
Trump has denied all charges, declaring his innocence. He was released from custody without any restrictions.
In a message on his Truth Social network, posted on his way back to Florida, Trump confirmed he would speak at 8:15 p.m. local time and called the court hearing "shocking."
"Virtually every legal expert says there is no case here," he wrote. "Nothing illegal was done."
The ex-president is accused of falsifying business documents, including those that were allegedly used intentionally for tax purposes.
Judge Juan Mercan said the trial could potentially begin in January 2024 — a month before the presidential primaries begin — although Trump's lawyers want the trial postponed until next spring.
"Today we reaffirm our solemn duty to ensure that all are equal before the law," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who has faced sharp attacks from Trump and his family, told reporters.
Twice-impeached Republican Donald Trump has become the first current or former US president to face criminal charges.
Police lined the streets and helicopters buzzed in the sky as Trump's motorcade made its way to court. This trip was covered live on television, although television operators were not allowed to attend the hearing itself.
Trump claims he is the victim of "political harassment," using the process to mobilize supporters and raise millions of dollars for his new presidential bid.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the courthouse in Manhattan. The pro-Trump protesters, wearing MAGA caps and clothing emblazoned with images of the American flag, chanted insults at their opponents.
The anti-Trump camp unfurled placards reading "Trump lies all the time" and chanted "Arrest him!"
Trump fans waved flags with the slogan "Trump or death".
While Republicans have largely rallied around Trump, President Joe Biden, mindful of Trump's accusations that the judiciary is becoming a political "weapon," has refrained from making accusations against his former rival.
White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said Biden "will watch the news when he has a moment." According to Jean-Pierre, the current head of state is not interested in the trial of Trump.
